'This is it', says Cameron as he scents election victory after Tories get poll lead in North – Daily Mail

Times accuses Tory candidates of lobbying party leadership on behalf of corporate clients

"Dozens of Conservative parliamentary candidates are working in the lobbying industry that seeks to influence their party’s leadership. An investigation by The Times has found that 28 prospective candidates who have a good chance of becoming Tory MPs are working as lobbyists or public relations consultants on behalf of businesses and other interests. More than a quarter got their jobs after being selected to fight seats." – Times

"Some critics point to the close relations that Mr Cameron, himself a former PR man, has with the kingpins of the industry. He has dined at the table of Roland Rudd of Finsbury Ltd, flown on Matthew Freud’s jet to meet Rupert Murdoch and even holidayed in South Africa with Alan Parker of Brunswick. It is, said one party figure, “all a bit too cosy”." – Tom Baldwin in The Times

"The Conservatives would foster a relaxed regulatory media environment, akin to the Big Bang in the City, to maximise overseas investment in UK creative industries, the shadow culture secretary said yesterday. Jeremy Hunt said David Cameron , his party leader, was "very sympathetic" to the idea of relaxing advertising constraints on ITV and other commercial broadcasters." – FT

Major General Andrew Mackay has resigned after clashing with ministers over Afghanistan and policy towards the military – Daily Mail | Independent

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